Twitter-text-instagram: Improving the health of small communities through the effective use of social media

The Prince George's County Health Department's (PGCHD) Small Communities Transformation Grant (PGCTG) broadens the accessibility and availability of healthy and affordable food by increasing the utilization of social media networks. Approach: Through the utilization of social media networks and the implementation of a multilingual and multicultural public education campaign, targeted communities were exposed to an increased number of nutritional and active living messages. Results: The PGCTG chose outcome measures that were scientifically sound and readily understandable to the community at large. By September 2014, the effectiveness of the multimedia public education communication campaign will be assessed by: 1) measuring the changes in the rates of obesity and overweight among residents of the target area; 2) the proportion of residents that report consuming the recommended daily allowance of vegetables and fruits; and 3) the proportion of residents who engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. The PGCHD will assess whether the program strategies and interventions have increased the accessibility, availability and affordability of healthy foods by measuring the number of new farmers' markets established in the target area and the diversity of foods they offer. Discussion: The PGCTG formed a Leadership Team to assist in establishing and sustaining essential partnerships with private, health, community and faith-based organizations. The partnerships allowed for the PGCTG to develop community-specific nutrition and healthy living messages and practices aimed at making systemic changes at the community level.